As a personal stalker… I mean fan… of Johnny, I knew what I was getting into with this portion of the performance. Grunge Americana Rock, with a heavy dose of LSD, haunting female back up vocals, and an Alice in Wonderland trip into poetry land. As for 95% of the people showing up for the free show, I think this was a new, mind altering experience.

Johnny Dowd is definitely not for the weak of heart. It’s a wild ride into the depths of surreal lyrics, intentional off key notes to keep you uncomfortable, paired with rockin’ chords to keep you hooked. But the virginal audience held on through the whole ride, through the poetry about life in a Rat’s A**, past the wild guitar solos, and even went along with the sing along crowd participation. In the end, they came out with a new appreciation for a genre they might not have even known existed. And they all seemed to have enjoyed the process.

After Johnny, came the other end of the spectrum. The fresh faced and upbeat to Johnny’s seasoned darkness. Bent Knee, based in Boston, MA, Bent Knee had its beginnings at Berklee College of Music. As their website describes them, they are a “genre-defying art-rock collective”. They’re young, enthusiastic, and ready to rock. Their tunes even got some people out of their seats and dancing. I think the thing I loved best about this band was just the raw energy they had on stage. From the guitar player who looked like he was about to leap off stage, to the female bass player rocking out, everyone on stage just seemed to be having a genuinely great time. Pair that with some great tunes, and who could resist?

I made my way over to the JD concert last night. The spring like weather brought out the multitudes so he had a packed audience. I tried to get up to the stage afterwards to say hello but he was surrounded by fans. The electric guitar sound was riveting, his lyrics, country eccentric. Thanks for the recommendation.

Later, A.

We LOVED the show: wanted more and more. I have all your CDs + book of poetry. I must check your site for new stuff, or T shirt, etc. There is no pigeon-holing you. AND you continue to creatively evolve. Amazing. Never know what you’re gonna come up with next. Maybe, someday, you’ll share w/ me how you do it. BTW: I would even love if u put out a whole CD of your poetry backed up by the appropriate, ambient weird loops. I could go on and on. Joyce and I sincerely loved the show. It was a great night for me, esp getting to meet my “songwriting/performer” idol. Thanks for a night I will never forget (unless I get Alzheimer’s). Go, Go, Johnny Go!

Johnny Dowd and his band return to New York City after a 10-year hiatus during which Dowd built a large and passionate following in Europe, and released five albums of his unique, alternative blues filtered through country, rock, R&B, experimental, and electronic lenses. The night also spotlights a performance by Bent Knee, a genre-defying, art-rock collective from Boston. The Independent Music Award program continues its 15-year commitment to raising the profile of extraordinary indie artists, labels and their releases.

He has a new band member: the talented Anna Coogan (shown above with Johnny). She’ll be performing with Johnny and Mike Edmondson at the Lincoln Center show on March 10 and will also be on the European tour in October.

If you’re in the New York City area, do try to catch the Lincoln Center show—Johnny doesn’t get to New York very often. It’s in the David Rubenstein Atrium and free. It’s one of the Independent Music Awards’ (IMA) two shows a year at the Atrium. Thanks again to Martin Folkman at IMA for inviting Johnny to do this. Click here for more information about the show.

Johnny also wanted me to tell you he is clean-shaven now (no more beard or mustache).

We’re honored to announced the first appearance of Johnny Dowd on an Ithaca Underground event! As many of you are aware, Johnny has been bringing experimentation, black humor, & the absurd, with 20+ studio recordings, live albums, & EPs.

Jealousy Mountain Duo have cancelled their 45-day, US/Japan tour due to injury and will return to the road/skies in the fall. Please welcome Johnny as ample recompense while we wish Jorg a speedy recovery.

POWERDOVE Since its inception in 2007, the brainchild of Annie Lewandowski has grown from a band of one to one band: of color in a spectrum, of frequency between towers, of bodies reaching toward some abiding vision of nature.

JITTERS Tampa-bred instrumental math-prog duo that plays fast and futuristic melodies, with busy drums and sonic loopage scattered throughout their songs. Their sound is taut and nervous, full of abrupt, jagged instrumental twists and turns.

BRIAN! wields dynamic and complex compositions that pull influence from the Rock In Opposition movement, classical, jazz, prog, noise, and math-rock, all performed with a loud rock live intensity.

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